tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300233912024-03-07T02:55:45.552-07:00therealdeal HockeyThe Source for <b>Flames</b>, <b>Oilers</b>, <b>Team Canada</b> and <b>NHL</b> News, from someone who obsesses about the gameUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-64069993110834162812008-10-30T19:00:00.005-06:002008-10-30T20:04:33.290-06:00Resurrection<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yn4WDe3iICLo-Etz9deufcbw0Za9nDn9bTPppJcz6ucpDDaJG7qF2N8pMHXlFFIZeVtKiJJspSg_GGDP6QZK7zkZ5gVrv_EQu2g5fxs97WTJ62h-647ij7SC9it9AigNpBP6kg/s1600-h/bergeron.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yn4WDe3iICLo-Etz9deufcbw0Za9nDn9bTPppJcz6ucpDDaJG7qF2N8pMHXlFFIZeVtKiJJspSg_GGDP6QZK7zkZ5gVrv_EQu2g5fxs97WTJ62h-647ij7SC9it9AigNpBP6kg/s400/bergeron.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263132957947254530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">About a year ago today Patrice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bergeron</span> was nailed from behind by Randy Jones. He really didn't play again until this preseason.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bergeron</span> has been a bit of a favorite player of mine, playing on a line with Sidney Crosby on two occasions for Team Canada; the 2005 World Juniors (the dream team, I believe Cory Perry was the third man on that line) and in the 2006 World Championship Team (Brad <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Boyes</span> was the extra man there).<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bergeron</span> already has quite a few honours in his career: He was the first player ever to win a World Championship gold medal before winning a World Junior Championship gold, he was the tournament MVP for the juniors in 2005, and I'm almost certain that at one point he was the youngest player in the NHL (although I could be wrong here). One of my favourite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bergeron</span> moments comes from 2005 when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ovechkin</span> went to take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bergeron</span> out with a solid check; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bergeron</span> braced himself and hit back (Torres/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Phaneuf</span> style) and ended up injuring <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Ovechkin</span>, taking him out of the game permanently. Pretty impressive.<br /><br />The good news is that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Bergeron</span> is still impressive, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> impressive. I was checking up on his <a href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2008/basic_5_on_5.php?sort=5&mingp=&mintoi=&team=BOS&pos="><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">desjardins</span></a> today, and although the sample size is small, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bergeron</span> looks like he's a difference maker.<br /><br />Quality of Comp: 0.14 (7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">th</span>)<br />Quality of Teammates: 0.35 (2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">nd</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">PTS</span>/60: 2.01(5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">th</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">GFON</span>/60: 3.51 (4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">th</span>)<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">GAON</span>/60 : 1.51 (9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">th</span>)<br />Difference: 2 (4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">th</span>)<br /><br />And in regards to the difference, only one player above <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Bergeron</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Sturm</span>) was playing a higher competition - without looking at shift charts I'd guess the two are playing together and are driving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">each other's</span> pleasant results. (As a side note, Andrew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Ference</span> is one of the three ahead of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Bergeron</span> in the difference category).<br /><br />One also has to imagine that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Bergeron</span> results would be better if he didn't have a 3.33% shooting percentage. For all those that believe the extreme will tend back to the average over time, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Bergeron</span> is due for some god damn goals like Edmonton is due for snow. His NHL average shooting percentage is just above 10%.<br /><br />Update: Well, it looks like Patrice is <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008020144">back on the scoreboard</a>.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com127tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-19237156726815153942008-10-23T00:38:00.004-06:002008-10-25T15:47:43.037-06:00L-OIL-ty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVdsNVo6W7Ba-EQ9wcfvLNVhBjAOBX-RbMB9ljdjk2VtzVgFP9U5b_c1hc9OTdV27n0kLNksnu3uCofsHvcb09NRVoY8_d-F7QVij85yIktIwg7qXFmBfIKnUcISbF2bV85vBaw/s1600-h/051029_bertuzzi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVdsNVo6W7Ba-EQ9wcfvLNVhBjAOBX-RbMB9ljdjk2VtzVgFP9U5b_c1hc9OTdV27n0kLNksnu3uCofsHvcb09NRVoY8_d-F7QVij85yIktIwg7qXFmBfIKnUcISbF2bV85vBaw/s400/051029_bertuzzi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261211348875721858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">No doubt I'm late to the party here regarding the whole <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Oilers</span>/Blogging gong show (for more details check out these <a href="http://coveredinoil.blogspot.com/2008/10/it-ends.html">two</a> <a href="http://coveredinoil.blogspot.com/2008/10/it-continues.html">posts</a> or click on any of the fine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Oilers</span> blogs on my sidebar) but I must say I had a few general thoughts that haven't totally been covered.<br /><br />Obviously the whole morality of the incident has been discussed ad <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nauseum</span> but what's really sad is this horrible feeling of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance">cognitive dissonance</a> that has <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">slaped</span> us all in the face. The bottom line is that I (and probably anyone that bothers to read this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">amateur's</span> writing) is a pretty big hockey fan. I love hockey in just about all instances - road hockey, shinny, league games, out door rink, on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">rollerblades</span>, hell, I've even watched some sled hockey and while I hate the sport I've even watched field hockey, because really, who among us can resist watching girls running around in short skirts waving giant sticks and chasing balls?<br /><br />Hockey is fantastic.<br /><br />I'm very passionate about the game, and while I'm not the type of guy who goes to a game and starts chanting, I wanted to cry watching two game sevens in two years and losing both of them. I love the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Oilers</span>, I love the Flames, and I really love watching Canada.<br /><br />But there are just some ugly things about the game that are hard to ignore.<br /><br />The lockout pissed me off to no end. I know a lot of people felt that the owners pleading for a system that made them more money was an insult, but I can't imagine the players themselves could have looked any worse. Day after day we had to listen to Glen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Healy</span> and Nick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kypreos</span> make absolutely inane comments about the labour stoppage which at best were idiotic and at worst offensive. Even <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Jarome</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Iginla</span>, Mr. All Canadian, the most honest to goodness 'aw shucks' guy that has possibly ever played the game, said something during the lockout that just made me think 'shut the fuck up <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Jarome</span>.'<br /><br />It's hard to cheer for someone that presents themselves in such a bad light.<br /><br />I'm actually a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">surprised</span> Flames fans aren't experiencing a little dissonance themselves. Way back when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bertuzzi</span> pounded Moore's brains out, almost literally, I had some mixed feelings. Obviously what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Bertuzzi</span> did is pretty <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">indefensible</span>, but I tended to feel that there was some unfortunate circumstances; I've seen a whole lot of really dangerous plays in which someone probably should have been hurt, but for whatever reason, they escaped unscathed. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Bertuzzi</span> wasn't the worst one I've seen, it just had the worst result.<br /><br />For that, rightly or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">wrongly</span> (I'm not here to judge) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Bertuzzi</span> was crucified - none more so than by Flames fans. The pure hatred by Flames fans that I've talked to over the years, as well as the chorus of boos inflicted on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Bertuzzi</span> at the 'dome is proof positive of Calgary's general disgust for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Bertuzzi</span>. But what's this?<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Bertuzzi</span> is now playing arguably the best hockey since the Moore 'incident' and Flames fans have not exactly bit their tongue at his success. The level of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">embracement</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Bertuzzi</span> cannot be overstated, and there's really only one reason - he's helping the Flames win.<br /><br />I am being a bit unfair here lumping all Flames fans together - I know <a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/">Kent</a> has taken a fairly dispassionate approach at evaluating <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Bertuzzi's</span> affect on the game.<br /><br />In the same sense though I too am just as guilty as Flames fans of the same crime. I have to ignore or forget that lockout and the things that transpired if I am to enjoy the game. Hopefully one day Dave at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">CinO</span> can forget what was done to him as well so he can go back to enjoying the game. And it is a great fucking game.<br /><br />Oh, and sorry for the title of this post.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-16680200604243896442008-10-12T19:36:00.005-06:002008-10-12T21:06:10.947-06:00I Saw Alexandre Despatie Last Night<div style="text-align: justify;">After watching Bertuzzi for a couple games I've truly come to believe that he has been targeted by the refs. While in the overall scheme of karma that makes a lot of sense it also as a principle doesn't really work. Bertuzzi may have been guilty of a very legitimate penalty several years ago but that doesn't mean that he's guilty of some other act.<br /><br />This point brings me to last night. You can check the play over at <a href="http://coveredinoil.blogspot.com/2008/10/big-flop.html">CiO</a> (i couldn't find the clip at youtube and I don't know how to steal mikew's great work at saving and uploading that file) and while I think Bertuzzi walked a fine line there I don't think he did anything other than compete for the puck and actually let up a bit at the end.<br /><br />Johnson on the other hand defies many laws of physics that would be implied with a forward momentum push and drops as if he has literally been shot in the back.<br /><br />I'm not one of those people who can't reconcile two penalties (the initial call + the dive call) in one play - just because a player dives doesn't mean the initial infraction never happened, so I could've lived with a boarding penalty to Bertuzzi if the unsportsmanlike call had gone against Ryan Johnson.<br /><br />I'm not going to blame the referee here; it's a fast game. The ref sees 'BERTUZZI' stalking a guy going to the corner, the guy goes flying pretty close to the boards and he looks hurt - it's going to happen.<br /><br />What I do see as disappointing, is as far as I can tell, there is not going to be any formal review of the issue by the NHL. I want to be very clear about this; I am not a bitter fan railing against losing the game, this call perhaps didn't even affect the outcome. I am just a disappointed fan who hates to see diving, regardless of the perpetrator. Ryan Johnson serves as an example only.<br /><br />Here, via the NHL website, is the rule on diving:<br /><br /><span class="txt14Strg" style="letter-spacing: 0.25px;"></span><blockquote><span class="txt14Strg" style="letter-spacing: 0.25px; font-style: italic;">Rule 64 - Diving / Embellishment</span> <p style="font-style: italic;">64.1 <b>Diving / Embellishment </b>– Any player or goalkeeper who blatantly dives, embellishes a fall or a reaction, or who feigns an injury shall be penalized with a minor penalty under this rule.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">A goalkeeper who deliberately initiates contact with an attacking player other than to establish position in the crease, or who otherwise acts to create the appearance of other than incidental contact with an attacking player, is subject to the assessment of a minor penalty for diving / embellishment.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">64.2 <b>Minor Penalty</b> - A <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26292">minor penalty</a> shall be imposed on a player or goalkeeper who attempts to draw a penalty by his actions (“diving / embellishment”).</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">64.3<b> Fines and Suspensions - </b>Regardless if a minor penalty for diving / embellishment is called, Hockey Operations will review game videos and assess fines to players or goalkeepers who dive or embellish a fall or a reaction, or who feign injury. <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26315">See also Rule <b>29</b> – Supplementary Discipline</a>. The call on the ice by the Referee is totally independent of supplementary discipline.</p> <p><span style="font-style: italic;">The first such incident during the season will result in a warning letter being sent to the player or goalkeeper. The second such incident will result in a one thousand dollar ($1,000) fine. For a third such incident in the season, the player shall be suspended for one game, pending a telephone conversation with the Director of Hockey Operations. For subsequent violations in the same season, the player’s suspension shall double (i.e. first suspension – one game, second suspension – two games, third suspension – four games, etc.) See also Rule </span><b style="font-style: italic;">29</b><span style="font-style: italic;"> – Supplementary Discipline.</span> (<a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26356">Source</a>)</p></blockquote></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I think we can clearly establish that Johnson violated Rule 64.1 yet escaped on ice punishment. However, we can see that whether the on-ice officials called a dive or not they are eligible for review by Hockey Operations. So while I cannot place a high level of culpability on the on ice officials, I certainly can do so to Hockey Operations; I don't think there's any other way to say this other than stating 'if this play is not reviewed they clearly aren't doing their job.'<br /><br />Another issue I have with Rule 64.1 is the harshness of the penalty. First offence is a letter, second offence is a $1000 fine, third is a one game suspension. If that doesn't sound like a joke to you then you must be humourless. On the off chance Hockey Operations reviews the play, and decides it was a dive, they have to do that 2 more times for there to be any in game consequences.<br /><br />Here's my proposition: For any infraction, first, third, eighteenth, the player receives a one game suspension.<br /><br />The one game suspension though will not be much of a deterrent; you give Ryan Johnson a one game suspension and how much are the Canucks going to miss him?<br /><br />For a while the league had some sort of Scarlett letter diving thing, but as far as I can tell that plan fell to the wayside.<br /><br />If it were up to me I would not simply fine the player, I would fine every member of the team, including coaches. They would all be fined at the nominal fee of $1000 which means that it wouldn't really be hurting their pocketbooks all that much, but it would create an extra incentive to not be hated by your team - it makes the whole organization accountable for the transgression of each individual player. It would hopefully create a self policing system between players. The team should be embarrassed when one of their players embellishes to such an obvious extent.<br /><br />You might argue that in cases where Hockey Operations gets it wrong upon review, this is an overly harsh punishment, but I would bet the psychological effect of being wrongfully prosecuted (persecuted) would actually have a positive fortifying effect on the team.<br /><br />Is there something I'm missing here?<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-23070600086268091232008-10-09T18:17:00.006-06:002008-10-09T19:47:58.337-06:00Warrenergate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICGT0xPienHBTX-BdfptMTvjDvx0mLIAclwN1HA3zpSpuxjfoMi5q9H0kYGtG7Y3Yj83P99oP-OEzVbbQHTxfDg5qO4yBiHGGj8-34vBHe8ve19dOOj6aBUzYfdIsbGzFTk0vaA/s1600-h/rhett.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICGT0xPienHBTX-BdfptMTvjDvx0mLIAclwN1HA3zpSpuxjfoMi5q9H0kYGtG7Y3Yj83P99oP-OEzVbbQHTxfDg5qO4yBiHGGj8-34vBHe8ve19dOOj6aBUzYfdIsbGzFTk0vaA/s400/rhett.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255335876169723570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I touched on <a href="http://therealdealhockey.blogspot.com/2008/07/time-to-hit-old-dusty-trail.html">the subject</a> during the summer, but once again <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sutter</span> has brought himself under fire thanks to his mismanagement of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Warrenergate</span>.<br /><br />There was an anonymous commenter over at Kent's yesterday who in my opinion was either: a) an idiot, b) didn't understand the real issue or c) both.<br /><br />Now it seems to me his/her position was that Kent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">et</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">al</span> had no room to rant because they didn't know the whole story, and there was probably some sort of insider information that was the key variable (they then mocked Kent for not being an insider, which he never claimed to be anyway, SWEET!).<br /><br />They also then commented that Boyd was going to play tonight anyway, so what was the difference?<br /><br />I'll handle the second point first because it's the simplest to address. The anger wasn't so much because Boyd was sent to QC, it was because <span style="font-style: italic;">it wasn't a hockey decision.</span> By all rights Boyd deserved to be on the team; he's had a great preseason, he was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ok</span> last year and he has a great pedigree.<br /><br />Now onto the first point. Was there some invisible but still legitimate reason Boyd didn't make the team? Well, it was invisible only in the sense it was such a subtle and long process that most people aren't exactly putting the puzzle pieces together. Was it legitimate? Well, that depends on how you look at things; we KNOW it wasn't a hockey decision in the sense that worse players than Boyd made the team instead of Boyd, but it was a hockey decision in the sense that the Flames wouldn't have been able to play because they were above the cap and therefore wouldn't have been able to play (actually, I don't really know the penalty for being over the cap, anyone want to enlighten me?).<br /><br />Let's recap the (relevant) events leading up to this incident:<br /><br /><strong>Jun 28, 2007: </strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Primeau</span> signed to three year contract<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ok</span>, first of all, the only thing that can be reasonably said to that is 'what the fuck?' It's not that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Primeau</span> is terrible, because he's mostly just bad, and it's not like his contract pay rate is so bad either, but why a three year term? Was it really necessary to get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Primeau</span> 'locked up' in the sense that he was such a desired player we didn't want him testing the market for fear of losing him? Could the Flames have not just signed him to a one year deal and then evaluated their coffers the next summer and if they were really desperate for centers resign him at that time?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5 Jul 2007</span> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Eriksson</span> signs two year contract<br /><br />The next event is slightly related to an even I've left off the list because it's like a negative event in that something didn't happen when it should have, but this signing was made 'necessary' because the Flames decided not to sign Giordano (Giordano was ahead of the fans as Matt notes <a href="http://battleofalberta.blogspot.com/2008/10/gall.html">here</a>). But again, why did the Flames sign this guy to a two year deal? He was a minor role player in one of Detroit's cup wins, played in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">RSL</span> for a while, then apparently he's proved he can play in the NHL so much so that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Sutter</span> put two year's worth of faith in him? I mean, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Sutter</span> partly solved this little problem by hiding it in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">AHL</span> but it's just such a bizarre long shot asset management move that you have to think a lot would have had to go right for it to pay off.<br /><br /><strong>Jul 1, 2008: </strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Prust</span> signed to one way contract<br /><br />Another head <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">scratcher</span>. What had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Prust</span> done that had him deserving of a one way contract? I'm not going to go into it because you can't prove a negative but I'm welcome to someone challenging my point.<br /><br /><strong>Jul 2, 2008: </strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Vandermeer</span> signed to three year contract<br /><br />I think Flames management at least got an appreciation of what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Vandermeer</span> brings to the table, but I would say what he brings most of the time is 'toughness' and inconsistency. His first few games in Calgary I would say he was pretty effective, but by playoff time Keenan was utilizing him as a 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">th</span> forward. Utility forward/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">defenceman</span> aren't exactly the most sought after commodity on the hockey market so one has to wonder why that while the coach wasn't really too interested in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Vandermeer's</span> skill set the GM was. And interested in it for 3 freaking years. And remember, this is a guy who was traded to Philadelphia last year who took a 1/3 of a season peek at him and decided to pass, and they're not exactly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Flyers">drowning in veteran NHL defenders there</a>...<br /><br /><strong>Jul 20, 2008:</strong>Andre Roy signed to contract<br /><br />This is probably the most perplexing and infuriating move of them all. The Flames finally let Godard go, and then they pick up Roy. I'm not nearly as against the enforcer as is say, <a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/">Kent</a>, but why? Who is he even protecting on this team? Everyone on the Flames is a fighter. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Iginla</span> will fight. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Langkow</span> will fight. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Regehr</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Sarich</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Vandermeer</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Phaneuf</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Primeau</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Bertuzzi</span> (watch out for his hook!) etc. etc. It's not even like the Flames are the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Oilers</span> with a bunch of undersized kids - this is pretty much a veteran roster, at least all the key components are. This is pretty much a complete waste of money and roster space.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">All summer:</span> not unloading <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Warrener</span><br /><br />I mean, this has been discussed <a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-have-got-to-be-fuing-kidding-me.html">ad</a> <a href="http://hitthepost.blogspot.com/2008/10/warrenerboyd-mishap-theories.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">naseum</span></a> but I have to say; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Warrener</span> is injured. There is no doubt. But he's been playing injured for at least a year, probably closer to two. The man just looks <span style="font-style: italic;">fragile</span> out there, and although he's got the heart of a lion his body is just clearly unwilling. But he is no more injured today than he was on his last preseason game, and he's probably <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">healthier</span> than he's been other times he's played. My guess is that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">LTIR</span> move is simply so that he doesn't have to spend the remainder of his hockey days riding a bus in QC. But really, the simple and smart solution would have been to just buy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Warrener</span> out. That way he's totally off the books, doesn't have to play in QC; I mean, is being told your body is so messed that you're no longer of use to the team any more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">humiliating</span> than being bought out? Is this really about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Warrener's</span> ego?<br /><br />So was there a key variable that I, as a fan, missed that was the reason Boyd was sent to the QC (for a day). Not at all - the reason was lack of smart planning by the GM. Hell, I didn't even assault <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Sutter</span> for not unloading <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Aucoin</span> or trading for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Aucoin</span>, because at least those moves are moderately <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">defendable</span>.<br /><br />I have to say, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Sutter</span> has his strengths, but this whole incident just makes him look dumb or at least overly and stupidly sentimental.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-146744193880740902008-10-07T21:17:00.009-06:002008-10-08T00:23:53.552-06:00World of Captains, Ship of Fools<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTPSLc9lZ4C1Wd2ASKnvnyCQB5xyY5ywRs1wECD2ZebEIOg-hw_8tjuZdjEntcBr9TveTmEVncHEK64Q4vpc6J0-RQgL6NEMCR0uF__hG2ofn-v0-PVel3PJ9KdDveOrqrLeuwA/s1600-h/Matthew-Good.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTPSLc9lZ4C1Wd2ASKnvnyCQB5xyY5ywRs1wECD2ZebEIOg-hw_8tjuZdjEntcBr9TveTmEVncHEK64Q4vpc6J0-RQgL6NEMCR0uF__hG2ofn-v0-PVel3PJ9KdDveOrqrLeuwA/s400/Matthew-Good.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254625676276121810" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> after this mission it will let you go</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> help you to forget everything and everyone you know</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> in a </span><span style="font-style: italic;">world</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> of captains baby, ship of fools</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> don't you know they're lying when they're telling you it's been all right?</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Once again I'm stealing from LT, but it's both an easy an appropriate segway into the subject matter. The lyric by the way is from Near Fantastica from Matthew Good's first solo album Avalanche. This picture of Good is definately before his solo days, I'd put it around 1999 and he's holding one of the most beautiful guitars in the world, a Gibson ES-335 I'd say.<br /><br />The point of the lyric in this context is thus: Expectations this season for the Edmonton Oilers are about as high as I've seen them in the last 10-15 years, besides from maybe 05-06. Everyone seems to think this is the year, and I think it's at least a <span style="font-style: italic;">somewhat</span> reasonable proposition; the Oilers have some legitimate prospects (Gilbert, Gagner, Cogliano, Nilsson, Grebeshkov, Brodziak) who made real strides near the end of last season, they have a mobile defensive group and a goalie who seems poised to lead.<br /><br />Expectations probably explain why MacTavish still has a job with the Oilers-this small market franchise with it's limited resources has really only been expected to compete once, and that year MacTavish delivered.<br /><br />MacTavish has also probably been helped by the fact his good friend Kevin Lowe has been the one evaluating his competency - not saying MacTavish has ever deserved to be fired up until this point but I think lesser GMs would probably have done away with him some time ago - after all, coach is a very time sensitive job.<br /><br />Here are IMO some of the top reasons fans should be wary about the upcoming Edmonton Oiler season. Bare in mind I am not the only person voicing these concerns but I don't think I've seen them all consolidated in one place as of yet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >1. Garon's Play and Shootout Victories</span><br /><br />I think it would be hard to argue Garon didn't have a great season last year, but the question is, can he keep it up? His NHL experience beyond last year was pretty limited - 60 wins and 56 losses over a span of 7 seasons. That included a couple seasons of backup in Montreal with not great .884 SV%, an AHL demotion and then recall for more backup duty the following couple of seasons with Montreal with an outstanding .931 SV%.<br /><br />Two uneven season in LA with a .901SV% and, impressively, held a winning record, 44 wins and<br />36 losses.<br /><br />Last year Garon had 26 wins and 18 losses, although it has to be noted he had 10 shootout wins and stopped 30 of 32 shootout shots.<br /><br />Garon has a lot of question marks around him; one or two seasons does not a number 1 goalie make. That said, I think Garon is very much worth a gamble; we didn't see a lot of holes in his game last season, but we have to expect him to come back towards the middle of the bell curve. MC79 had a terrific post up just the other day.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">The better places on that list have some starrier names. If I was a betting man - and I’m not - my guess for Garon would be pretty close to league average, as opposed to last year, whereas his scaled save percentage for last year was .914. I have a hard time seeing how the Oilers make the playoffs with that, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/10/nhl-season-preview-2008-09-predictions.html">no matter what that knob/idiot Mirtle says</a>. (<a href="http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=2940#more-2940">Source</a>)<br /></blockquote><br /><br />I think it's unreasonable to think that Garon will have a similar shootout record this year. I think it will be hard for anyone to ever beat 30 for 32 in a season ever again - that's a mark that we could see stand for many years to come.<br /><br />The Oilers need regulation wins this year; they will not be as successful this year once time expires.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >2. Development Trends</span><br /><br />People have this idea in their head that player development is a steady curve, but it's not, at least not always. Some players figure shoot above the curve and they look great short term but end up mediocre long term (look at Angelo Esposito's Jr. records for instance, although he's a very short term example of what I'm talking about). Some players start slow and play uneven hockey year after year until something clicks.<br /><br />I think Oilers fans have to prepare themselves for the likelihood that one or all of Gagner, Cogliano, Nilsson, Brodziak, Gilbert and Grebeshkov will take a step back for part or all of the year. The glare of the spotlight will be on them this year, and so will the burden of expectations, and rather than having a reduced or more sheltered workload, they will have an increased and heavier workload.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >3. The Stoll/Reasoner Workload</span><br /><br />I keep referring back to this post by <a href="http://coppernblue.blogspot.com/2008/08/faceoff-numbers-things-worth-shouting.html">Jonathan</a> which was based on some great work by <a href="http://vhockey.blogspot.com/2008/08/defensemen-and-opportunity.html">VF</a>. It shows how heavily MacT relied on Stoll and Reasoner for defensive zone coverage. While Hemsky is the remaining Oiler from 07-08 who played the top competition, it was Stoll and Reasoner who were ranked <a href="http://www.behindthenet.ca/2007/basic_5_on_5.php?sort=7&mingp=&mintoi=&team=EDM&pos=">1 and 3 last year</a> respectively. And while Hemsky got to play with top quality linemates, Stoll and reasoner were pretty much given the bottom of the rung.<br /><br />Now somebody has to take over that workload.<br /><br />Now I'm not saying Stoll or Reasoner did a particularly great job last year; much of the time they got eaten alive. But while they were taking their lumps they were opening up holes for the rest of the roster, holes of opportunity for the likes of Cogliano, Gagner and Nilsson.<br /><br />Now someone has to pick up the slack, and I'm not sure on this roster who has the horses to do it.<br /><br />Brodziak and Pouliot are being nominated as centers for the job from various sources, as well as the possibility of Pisani, Cole or Penner on the wings. This is going to be a wild and possibly disasterous experiment.<br /><br />It might not be worse than Stoll and Reasoner, but I think it's reasonable to think it could go pretty wrong.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >4. Healthy Horses</span><br />A lot of this year's plans are built around guys with questionable health. Sheldon Souray has historically not been the type of player to lace them up for all 82 games; nor has Hemsky. Eric Cole seems to miss around 15 games a season, and let's not even get into poor Ethan Moreau's last couple of seasons.<br /><br />I don't necessarily think these guys are the most worrisome of the group - I tend to have this belief that all players get injured eventually. That is, I think we can expect someone unexpected (that is some clumsy phrasing, sorry folks) to get injured. If that's Horcoff or Garon, god help this team.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">---<br /></div><br />It's not really a bold prediction to say a coach might be fired, but I really think the chips are stacking up against MacTavish this year. He has to deliver on this mission or they'll let him go.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-87283379678445553072008-10-03T18:47:00.005-06:002008-10-06T21:43:42.427-06:00Andrew Cogliano<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVmSayUPsxMJ_A2Gwq7HrcDsuRN8BrxYnHwTI1d1O3NAHo9gWmF-xajeRYO-xNSDDqOBv4-DQzbSXZ_pP70AONcgQRuhLTDe-0ODX1QcJghBY9WE6wZrj8Y6kg72TY874OgJhDA/s1600-h/andrewcogliano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVmSayUPsxMJ_A2Gwq7HrcDsuRN8BrxYnHwTI1d1O3NAHo9gWmF-xajeRYO-xNSDDqOBv4-DQzbSXZ_pP70AONcgQRuhLTDe-0ODX1QcJghBY9WE6wZrj8Y6kg72TY874OgJhDA/s400/andrewcogliano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253094479970546146" border="0" /></a>Andrew Cogliano first came to my attention during Coaches' Corner (see, Don Cherry still does in fact have a purpose) while Grapes was bemoaning the fact the Toronto Maple Leafs skipped over the Ontario native for some 'foreign goalie.' He was partly ignorant by slagging Tuukka Rask who went on to have two stellar World Junior Hockey Championships, but he was also pretty much correct because Toronto traded Rask for Andrew Raycroft, and then of course Rask's first win came against Toronto a couple of years later. Oh, and it turned out Andrew Cogliano is a pretty damn good hockey player.<br /><br />Cogliano was known as a somewhat offensive guy in the minor ranks and I'll never forget his lack of offence for Canada in those World Juniors. He kept getting top line minutes, tons of minutes and chances ad infinitum, and last but not least, a top gear that was unmatched. The comp that kept coming to my mind was Todd Marchant. Great sense, great wheels, no finish. Turns out that prediction, at least for Cogliano's rookie season, was only 2/3s right.<br /><br />There's no denying Cogliano had a stellar rookie season, and I think in most seasons it would have been at least Calder nomination worthy. Toews, Kane, Backstrom, Gagner, Price and Cogliano were all probably nomination worthy, but Cogliano isn't flashy like Backstrom and Kane and he wasn't a national hero like Toews, doesn't have the raw talent of Gagner or Backstrom. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAFX8siAAsm95UOjkrry_LZvGImn40btakCkMfDvZOV-4X8ww1plTj68CF1_yTTcCL9eBt8Qk64EN3y_oofi7fj-r6t3NYizD-_GdsYKP1NjCdWjoeNxl6S6jcIkQJBvkTDYj0g/s1600-h/cogliano.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAFX8siAAsm95UOjkrry_LZvGImn40btakCkMfDvZOV-4X8ww1plTj68CF1_yTTcCL9eBt8Qk64EN3y_oofi7fj-r6t3NYizD-_GdsYKP1NjCdWjoeNxl6S6jcIkQJBvkTDYj0g/s400/cogliano.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253094414097079858" border="0" /></a>There's no denying Cogliano was sheltered by MacTavish last year. He didn't play against high level competition (although he didn't have high level linemates) but somehow he found a way to put the puck in the net - a lot.<br /><br />All his offensive stats are incredible for a rookie G/60, PTS/60, GFON/60.<br />His defensive stats, not so awe inspiring. Not surprising for a rookie though.<br /><br />A couple words of caution though for Cogliano's upcoming season: like Jordan Staal who had an awesome first year offensively, Cogliano has a sky high and possibly unattainable shooting percentage. His shooting percentage was 18.37% last year, while say Iginla averages about 15% on a good year. Staal had a 22% on his first year, while about 7% during his second. Now Cogliano actually has a history of a high shooting percentage with a 26.97% shooting percentage in his final college year. Some in the Oilogosphere have argued Cogliano is predisposed to a high shooting percentage because of the sorts of high quality chances he creates with his speed - whether that's true or not will probably be determined this year.<br /><br />Another word of caution - with Reasoner and Stoll gone, Cogliano will most likely have to play tougher minutes. If that happens, I think it's fair to say that treading water is probably progress.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection: </span>2nd line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 3rd overall GFON/60Unknownnoreply@blogger.com326tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-65943786916775363542008-10-02T21:29:00.004-06:002008-10-02T22:31:02.119-06:00Craig Conroy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6ulhKv0bRQiL9vuLEiYoEgo2DeV04t6Fd1PJncp6wOyfPhypOlVT0cdNUN00KSsafMLguEFLHtpSGk3ZFauUb-yu8zgVW_ydhrHIaVsB-D4y6i7zAs6ZcVEHvyD_2o-YUh0yQg/s1600-h/craigconroy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6ulhKv0bRQiL9vuLEiYoEgo2DeV04t6Fd1PJncp6wOyfPhypOlVT0cdNUN00KSsafMLguEFLHtpSGk3ZFauUb-yu8zgVW_ydhrHIaVsB-D4y6i7zAs6ZcVEHvyD_2o-YUh0yQg/s400/craigconroy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101691581889924114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Projection</span>:<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size:100%;">Left the team after FA negotiations with Darryl <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sutter</span> fell apart in the summer of ’04, but seems ecstatic to be back.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Was inconsistent in his return with the Flames in the spring, occasionally taking bad penalties.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Either he has good chemistry with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Iginla</span>, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Iginla</span> is so good he makes it look like he has chemistry with Conroy.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Can be physical, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">isn</span>’t, or at least <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">isn't</span> often enough.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Most talkative Flame.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Evaluation:</span><br />As much as I enjoy Craig Conroy, there is little to suggest he isn't on a relatively steep career decline in terms of ability. While the mind seems willing the flesh seems weak. <a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/">Kent</a> has made it a mission to articulate Conroy's offensive deficiencies and while I don't completely agree with Kent (I believe there are worse options on the Flames as well as better) he does have a very valid point. Conroy should not be on the first line.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmPt5sP9Qn8xF80jp3Lu4V00f5C9W25MB98lOHjmz7RNWigM_200yVhmYsoz-zqGV5bOO41MPTWeL5ex97jIRRwgY8NunnFlO2ncYONxssGwKPrnXOg04NACzxz7r7Xtd3JCGow/s1600-h/conroy.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmPt5sP9Qn8xF80jp3Lu4V00f5C9W25MB98lOHjmz7RNWigM_200yVhmYsoz-zqGV5bOO41MPTWeL5ex97jIRRwgY8NunnFlO2ncYONxssGwKPrnXOg04NACzxz7r7Xtd3JCGow/s400/conroy.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252770112475639906" border="0" /></a><br />While Conroy's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">behindthenet</span>.ca column here actually looks pretty respectable I think there are a couple of things we need to remember:<br /><br />Firstly, he was playing with topnotch teammates. Funny enough, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Langkow</span> is rated as having better teammates than Conroy which would imply that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Langkow</span> was bringing down the line, not Conroy - hey, I guess <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">desjardin's</span> system isn't perfect. The most important teammate anyone on the Flames can have though is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Iginla</span>, and Conroy often played with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Iginla</span>, and there is no doubt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Iginla</span> was hoisting Conroy's numbers up. Other things to note; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Iginla</span> always played against the top competition, therefore, Conroy played the top competition.<br /><br />It is curious of course that Conroy had the top 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">nd</span> assists <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">on the</span> team. 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">nd</span> assists are a bit of an anomaly because there are so many different ways we can conceive of them happening - while first assists would tend mostly to be a direct intention of a scoring play, a 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">nd</span> assist could be as simple as a breakout pass or a dump in. Why does Conroy have the best on the team?<br /><br />One theory is that it's just pure fluke - someone has to have the most second assists and Conroy just happens to be that person. I think the mostly likely explanation though is that his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">linemates</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Iginla</span> and either <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Tanguay</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Huselius</span>) happen to finish a lot of plays, and judging from the number of 1st assists Conroy has, they finish a lot of plays that he's not directly involved in, at least not puck wise. Anyone disagree?<br /><br />I've been ragging on Conroy a bit and I really should add that he does still have some value. He reads the play well defensively and is used to playing pretty decent competition. There shouldn't be any reason why he can't be a very competent shutdown guy for the Flames, something the Flames haven't really had for a while.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">th</span> line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 1st overall quality of competition<br /></div><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style=""></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-86094995193408329922008-09-30T18:54:00.004-06:002008-09-30T20:01:47.565-06:00Sam Gagner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSFtmb_VwDjw7ssGjf6U97BrbyFLdejnj25L6V256G0jqeDOxNcX2BAS3U_DHEz74TwZ1la56YT0LJAkKpce0u0kFPwYVA8ar_4mKpSDoKHSxd1nUs5FLWBt2ieA2CGx_1R10mw/s1600-h/samgagner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSFtmb_VwDjw7ssGjf6U97BrbyFLdejnj25L6V256G0jqeDOxNcX2BAS3U_DHEz74TwZ1la56YT0LJAkKpce0u0kFPwYVA8ar_4mKpSDoKHSxd1nUs5FLWBt2ieA2CGx_1R10mw/s400/samgagner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251984403422832290" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's hard to be anything but positive when talking about Sam Gagner. I liked him the <a href="http://therealdealhockey.blogspot.com/2006/12/team-canada-u-20-intrasquad-game.html">first time I saw him</a>, well before he was on the radar of most Oiler fans, and he hasn't failed to impress since. Beat the odds to make the team one year ago and did enough during that 11 game tryout period to make himself stick throughout the rest of the year.<br /><br />What sorts of skills does Gagner have? Reads the play well, great positioning instincts, above average hands. What type of skills doesn't he have? Well, you're not going to see Gagner dominate with his physicality, he's certainly not blazingly fast (although he is quick) and he's probably not going to be given a lot of defence first assignments by his coach. <br /><br />Before I get into the desjardins numbers, I just want to make the note that Gagner did just about as well as can be expected as an 18 year old in the NHL. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFccxh1h_QX18O2lJCLiQ3I-F49dlDRX9SwhXgUdmCYp_qPYm3npxX97M0SIDKQH96l8JVvE9Fd-3gR0Lu1ky7jajowXJjMqMPVlmmgNIcVH-PBa2aot_5MFkVXGgRZQcEFvxukQ/s1600-h/gagner.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFccxh1h_QX18O2lJCLiQ3I-F49dlDRX9SwhXgUdmCYp_qPYm3npxX97M0SIDKQH96l8JVvE9Fd-3gR0Lu1ky7jajowXJjMqMPVlmmgNIcVH-PBa2aot_5MFkVXGgRZQcEFvxukQ/s400/gagner.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251984325350010386" border="0" /></a>The most obvious thing we can take note of here is that Gagner played with pretty much the best linemates on the team and also against some of the softest competition. With that in mind, I think it's fair to say that if he treads water in terms of his counting numbers this year we can call it a win. With the departure of both Marty Reasoner and Jarret Stoll, both of whom were carrying the heaviest loads competition wise, I think it's fair to expect Gagner will have to face tougher competition, at least some of the time.<br /><br />His offensive categories were relatively pedestrian although that had mostly to do with his lack of goals - making great passes is definitely is definitely his strength. <br /><br />Finally, one more note - MacT was playing Gagner 4th most of all forwards- the coach has confidence in his rookie, no?<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 2nd line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 1st in quality of teammatesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-43190294882190832792008-09-29T21:46:00.002-06:002008-09-29T22:09:41.402-06:00Matthew Lombardi<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl8rG9dkhG9rEjMyyfqrLED5C2hIMQ6eeD-QAVJa_vmDYkKgHL4rdhWJHUvIDvPkY9FE5MI9eyHhl12PJXST2npgFLPjYxCdsKRiF-Xqzn11ftqt1X1BlYEMOjuedoKNDDHwFBQ/s1600-h/matthewlombardi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl8rG9dkhG9rEjMyyfqrLED5C2hIMQ6eeD-QAVJa_vmDYkKgHL4rdhWJHUvIDvPkY9FE5MI9eyHhl12PJXST2npgFLPjYxCdsKRiF-Xqzn11ftqt1X1BlYEMOjuedoKNDDHwFBQ/s400/matthewlombardi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103910658347781186" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Prediction</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After a wild first ride in his first season with Calgary, in which he was severely concussed by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Derian</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hatcher</span> during the playoffs, Lombardi has steadily increased his hockey sense and found ways to use his overwhelming speed to his advantage. Needs to become a better passer and needs more than one move on the penalty shot and shootout (forehand-backhand-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fivehole</span>, here’s hoping opposition goalies don’t take note…). Was Canada’s 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nd</span> best forward in the 2007 World Championships playing next to Rick Nash (who was Canada’s best forward), thereby proving he has 1st line potential.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Evalutation</span></span><br />Despite everything my eye tells me when I watch Lombardi, he just seems unable to create offence. He flies around the ice, he's usually in good position, but he doesn't finish very often. Granted, we know Lombardi has been playing with some pretty poor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">linemates</span> - but I don't think that's the entire reason he can't seem to put the puck in the net.<br /><br />Below I have his EV stats, but I'd like to preface them by pointing out that I found Lombardi to be a very good penalty killer, very crafty when a man down. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQFvLtmIIUXuc_9ZJg7hl_d32Ri87va3DAzNdfa_eOrdA1nF4oKG8JLCJf6fC8VlysDHYFy_wu8zr-pIe_tdVtD7TmvR-JLi_HpsuUfM7nk9camgsU7tsWYjCm7fdnFKW5YVViQ/s1600-h/lombardi.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQFvLtmIIUXuc_9ZJg7hl_d32Ri87va3DAzNdfa_eOrdA1nF4oKG8JLCJf6fC8VlysDHYFy_wu8zr-pIe_tdVtD7TmvR-JLi_HpsuUfM7nk9camgsU7tsWYjCm7fdnFKW5YVViQ/s400/lombardi.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251656234435152034" border="0" /></a>Lombardi's stats are all so...middle of the road - maybe that's good considering who he was playing with, but I just <span style="font-style: italic;">feel</span> like he should be doing better. He has two stats that jump out at me: His <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">GF</span>/60 is atrocious, while it seems that Keenan didn't pick up on it because he seemed to play Lombardi as much as anyone- more so it seems; his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">EVTOI</span>/60 was third on forwards. <br /><br />This year is going to have to be Lombardi's year; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Backlund</span> appears to be knocking on the door and the Flames simply have too many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">centerman</span>. From the sounds of it Lombardi will get every opportunity to play on the second line; if he doesn't grab the position this year and make something of himself, he could become redundant.<br /><br />for Kent's thoughts, <a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/2008/08/musings-of-interest-matthew-lombardi.html">click here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">nd</span> line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 3rd place on forwards for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">TOI</span>/60<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-24032749642972421302008-09-24T20:56:00.004-06:002008-09-24T22:36:08.019-06:00Fernando Pisani<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRJwY0USxBB2Cam_689bd1PfUpCGcFOIq0Qs_jIgN6t4lGOvVSwvwUmp_pnnuRKuisBq5FcJYkasUTH7LemByWFnwqdNJGCcTTqvxzgQ3g9pvawh4Wc4odgpOF8nZaiN365Af7w/s1600-h/fernandopisani.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRJwY0USxBB2Cam_689bd1PfUpCGcFOIq0Qs_jIgN6t4lGOvVSwvwUmp_pnnuRKuisBq5FcJYkasUTH7LemByWFnwqdNJGCcTTqvxzgQ3g9pvawh4Wc4odgpOF8nZaiN365Af7w/s400/fernandopisani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249790747370121874" border="0" /></a>I'm not really sure what the consensus is about this picture, but for my money it was the absolute highlight of the 2006 playoffs. Just when all hope seemed lost Fernando burst in on that break and just wired it. Very few moments in life are as perfect as that one.<br /><br />Of course everyone knows about Pisani's bout with ulcerative colitis, something will never truly go away but for now (and hopefully for a very long time) it's under control.<br /><br />It's hard to find a player with such a lack of flair that is as celebrated (at least in the Oilogosphere) as Fernando Pisani. It's like he's some sort of lightning rod of appreciation for both the traditional scouting (he always seems to be in the right place, he does the little things right, he reads the play well) and the great statistical revolution.<br /><br />The great thing about Pisani is that he proves right those people who appreciate great 'smart hockey.' Substance over style.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu700x3hQqAgdcMJxcw4NXskJRt3YENFEmlHzS-LsvXMZt-UB0HuMV7wN7mYdpZDix2ArovAII1zqgig-OekJVKsG06gLBZbdS-zpImwEXUbs0CL0jJWQ05ISvpbg0rzyQ4yZblQ/s1600-h/pisani.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu700x3hQqAgdcMJxcw4NXskJRt3YENFEmlHzS-LsvXMZt-UB0HuMV7wN7mYdpZDix2ArovAII1zqgig-OekJVKsG06gLBZbdS-zpImwEXUbs0CL0jJWQ05ISvpbg0rzyQ4yZblQ/s400/pisani.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249790673229223682" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Check out these desjardins numbers from Pisani on an injury reduced season. We can see that he was on the bottom third of the roster for teammates, but he was on the top third for quality of competition. Babysitting a bit perhaps?<br /><br />His GF/60 isn't too shabby either. Of returning Oilers from 07-08 only 3 players were better than him per minute (Horcoff, Brodziak, Cogliano). Strangely Pisani was not very strong on first assists; perhaps the people he was playing with simply weren't finishing off chances very often.<br /><br />From the sounds of things MacT is looking to put Pisani at center on the third line - IMO it's the forward position needing the most endurance and the most thinking. Pisani should be fine.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 3rd line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 4th for forwards in Quality of OppositionUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-30973820572951494312008-09-21T21:37:00.004-06:002008-09-21T22:09:54.526-06:00When Bob McKenzie Speaks, I Listen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RpxKu-s7FW8GB_veepS-DlUfkBvuDfN_sBOo6dUe3tdWph-5zy4WV8-mF59I8pFf6ECweeHTvq5odxOsxx7MJWktCe7IBWOTI-cq3199ONyxJSlgsWLrDfM6FAFuX_kzLuw3aQ/s1600-h/BOB-MCKENZIE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RpxKu-s7FW8GB_veepS-DlUfkBvuDfN_sBOo6dUe3tdWph-5zy4WV8-mF59I8pFf6ECweeHTvq5odxOsxx7MJWktCe7IBWOTI-cq3199ONyxJSlgsWLrDfM6FAFuX_kzLuw3aQ/s400/BOB-MCKENZIE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248692810507602002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Popped onto my computer tonight after watching Entourage to write my piece about David Moss and I got a little distracted watching Bob McKenzie's '6 Cities in 6 Days' Calgary Flames 'evaluation.' I pretty much idolize McKenzie, he seems to me to be the far and away best hockey columnist in the world and I think when he says something about your team it pays to pay attention because it's more than likely he heard it from the horses mouth.<br /><br />Now, McKenzie is saying that as of now, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bertuzzi</span> is going to be accompanying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Iginla</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Langkow</span> on the top line, while Lombardi will be flanked by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cammalleri</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Bourque</span>. It's the placement of three (Lombardi, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Cammalleri</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bertuzzi</span>) players out of that six that really interests me.<br /><br />We know that both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Cammalleri</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bertuzzi</span> are used to playing soft opposition at EV, and we know that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Cammalleri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">faired</span> poorly even with top <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">linemates</span> while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bertuzzi</span> did well but with top <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">linemates</span> (going by last year, of course). Judging by McKenzie's remarks, it looks like Keenan will give one (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Cammalleri</span> as of now) the soft opposition, while the other guy will get good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">linemates</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Bertuzzi</span>).<br /><br />Happily, it looks like Lombardi might get a chance with decent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">linemates</span>, something I think a lot of Flames fans have been waiting for for a long time.<br /><br />The lines, as of today, look like this:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Bertuzzi</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Langkow</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Iginla</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Cammalleri</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - Lombardi - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Bourque</span><br /></div><br />There is a third option though:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conroy/</span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Bourque</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Langkow</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Iginla</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Cammalleri</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - Lombardi - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Bertuzzi</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, the Flames are pretty center heavy, and besides <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Iginla</span>, there are no wingers who are going to most often outplay the top EV opposition - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Bertuzzi</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Bourque</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Cammalleri</span> could be pretty <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">interchangeable</span> there (except for potentially the offence they bring). On the other hand, Conroy for instance, is used to playing the other team's top opposition - he's playing off position but with so many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">centermen</span> on this team it's pretty much bound to happen at some point anyway.<br /><br />The beauty of this lineup is that Keenan can throw the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">nd</span> line over the boards against the other team's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">muckers</span> and with any luck they should be able to dominate. The skill level at least is overwhelming and Lombardi for sure has some defensive presence of mind in case things get really bad. This line could operate somewhat like whatever line <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">MacTavish</span> throws <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Gagner</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Nilsson</span> on; they play the weaker opposition and ya, sometimes they get caught with their pants down but on average they're probably going to come out on top.<br /><br />Plus, this gives Boyd a spot on the third line to develop and get his sea legs while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Primeau</span> can hang around on the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">th</span>. You could also argue this opens up a spot for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Backlund</span> to <span style="font-style: italic;">compete</span> for: that third line one. If Boyd doesn't <span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">carpe</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">diem</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Backlund</span> might be able to get in there - he might also be able to go for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Primeau</span> position but I don't think that would be the best for his development.<br /><br />The drawbacks? Well I've already mentioned that during road games that second line could get caught out there. Secondly there isn't a lot of players on that line looking to take care of business in their own end - it could get seriously ugly at times. Finally, how hard does this hinder the first line? I would argue the effects of having <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Bourque</span> out there instead of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Cammalleri</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Bertuzzi</span> will be perceived to be much bigger than they actually are, but they could nonetheless exist.<br /><br />Thoughts?<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-4364303918493485372008-09-21T21:02:00.007-06:002008-09-21T22:13:14.263-06:00David Moss<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCWOnEgYDgQ-91IyJYLUdD0fsUTqXTIoTOVodqgIleafI05tF1vx2qdKsMxm-OeOLzQIEzTjHsXbRp9omJdJWIRLsj8y6c8CLMHxGwmV_agfwOWq_us8IW3cF1UMjRUnVHCJNFw/s1600-h/davidmoss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCWOnEgYDgQ-91IyJYLUdD0fsUTqXTIoTOVodqgIleafI05tF1vx2qdKsMxm-OeOLzQIEzTjHsXbRp9omJdJWIRLsj8y6c8CLMHxGwmV_agfwOWq_us8IW3cF1UMjRUnVHCJNFw/s400/davidmoss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106521891089566802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Got his ‘cup of coffee’ in the NHL last season and showed some real potential. Uses his body effectively and plays bigger than his size. Has a pretty good nose for the net, scoring 10 goals in 41 games. Has to show consistency and will have to fight for a 2nd line roster spot this year. This picture is a great example of the way Moss plays – down and dirty.</div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Evaluation</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Moss had a pretty interesting season mostly because we didn't really get any better idea of what he's capable of than we did during his cup of coffee the season prior. He played through most of the first third of the season, had an ankle injury (missed 14 games), played for another month or so, then missed another 19 games due to a leg injury. One can only assume that during his middle portion or so there that he was still recovering to some degree (getting back into game shape at least) and then same can be said when he returned from his leg injury.<br /><br />His counting numbers are not impressive. 41 GP, 4G, 11PTS. He's got all the makings of a 4th liner all right.<br /><br />To my eye though it always seemed as if Moss was getting lots of chances and creating offensive opportunities, if not simply because he just always seems to be 'around.' I don't think my eyes weren't deceiving me too much, but they weren't exactly dead on.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BW5mst9sZiIoqxp8ObHoKZ8RX62DSLWdV-HWI70R9togw9bxYduumoc7e0W-LVstiTVS39hSNFXlGAxhbZiqbNmK7MYJu8mHPQJsz2SDz59WlbqVDOaW5DpCePekYBtGKmxuFA/s1600-h/moss.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BW5mst9sZiIoqxp8ObHoKZ8RX62DSLWdV-HWI70R9togw9bxYduumoc7e0W-LVstiTVS39hSNFXlGAxhbZiqbNmK7MYJu8mHPQJsz2SDz59WlbqVDOaW5DpCePekYBtGKmxuFA/s400/moss.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248675854959444674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Here we see that he was playing with about the third liners of the team, and while it looks on his offensive categories he may not have been driving results, he was at least keeping pace, which leads me to believe that perhaps if he had better linemates, he'd keep a better pace.<br /><br />Another thing to note of his offensive abilities regarding last year; his shooting percentage was about 7%, about half of his previous season with the Flames, and a solid 5% or so below his career average. If we can safely say that a player with a high shooting percentage will come down after a good year, can we also not predict that a player with a low shooting percentage will come back up after a year?<br /><br />David Moss is never going to be a 1st line difference maker or anything like that, but I think if he was put with some speed (Glencross/Boyd) and some smarts he could put the puck in the net once in a while. As long as he stays healthy I believe he could prove his worth this year - one way or the other.<br /><br /><a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/2008/07/musings-of-interest-david-moss.html">Kent's take on Moss</a> from back in July(!)<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 3rd line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat: </span>5th overall PTS/60Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-14442666310567856552008-09-18T21:00:00.004-06:002008-09-18T22:19:35.266-06:00Kyle Brodziak<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygYHQplOP-RIRGR5F535jhKkuZLWTAmNheJLkBsUBVWtTJc4Y1TBl3byG0TJGfXR1tg_I4cGsj6NfSnAaImnqFjEYiCpJrE4fVl_UoVP6rkrugRIOYsPoCJWcegZhLS8a4gG9-g/s1600-h/kylebrodziak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygYHQplOP-RIRGR5F535jhKkuZLWTAmNheJLkBsUBVWtTJc4Y1TBl3byG0TJGfXR1tg_I4cGsj6NfSnAaImnqFjEYiCpJrE4fVl_UoVP6rkrugRIOYsPoCJWcegZhLS8a4gG9-g/s400/kylebrodziak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247564863062402194" border="0" /></a>I don't think there's any question Brodziak had, on average, a good year, and although I couldn't prove it, I think he just kept getting better as the year went on. He had 4 G 9PTS +6 in his last 10 games and he just <span style="font-style: italic;">looked</span> good.<br /><br />According the <a href="http://lowetide.blogspot.com/2008/07/brodziak-key-component.html">information compiled by LT</a>, Brodziak looks to be a big part of the future here in Edmonton, and I don't see any reason he's wrong. The only issue is that which he shares with Glencross - not a lot of at bats to judge him by.<br /><br />Now there's also been some talk (myself included) about Brodziak stepping in and helping to fill the heavy lifting roles vacated when Reasoner and Stoll left town. Tall task indeed.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCwFSrcpHOvyrBF-A9JgUfMT0zpjfn-YDJiI2-FCzMFV3DkGxJvIO5qXWla1syv485fxrQjVQ5HMGSyaCX-JNfwqGe7A7BS1woxWjakGGWFXA2yL10bQYD_CeQdVA9v1o8RV-nw/s1600-h/brodziak.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCwFSrcpHOvyrBF-A9JgUfMT0zpjfn-YDJiI2-FCzMFV3DkGxJvIO5qXWla1syv485fxrQjVQ5HMGSyaCX-JNfwqGe7A7BS1woxWjakGGWFXA2yL10bQYD_CeQdVA9v1o8RV-nw/s400/brodziak.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247563871236517954" border="0" /></a>There's nothing really obvious that jumps out about Brodziak's stats. Firstly, we know he's playing pretty low level competition which makes sense considering his number of at bats, and we also know he didn't play with anyone particularly special. He also, on average, didn't really shut down the opposition at all - he had the worst GAON/60 on the entire team, which to me brings some doubt as to his 'heavy lifting' ability.<br /><br />His G/60 was pretty damn impressive - 2nd on the team. But even that wasn't enough to come close to outscoring the opposition on average - I mean, his +/- wasn't bad, but if he had been getting, say, Sean Horcoff like ice time, it would have exploded.<br /><br />Look, I'm not saying Kyle Brodziak isn't a good hockey player - or even that he won't be able to do the heavy lifting - but I think MacT needs to think long and hard about throwing Brodziak into the deep end right away. He still needs some swimming lessons. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 4th liner<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 2nd overall in G/60, last in GAON/60<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-90533838205530543812008-09-17T21:39:00.006-06:002008-09-17T22:28:40.244-06:00Curtis Glencross<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoDlmcxrK4NyQJPLNpI06Z7jSMOlle82Eox-f9-obh7fCWTVYgAGJuAREe0f9dPXHmrDjoPXVCXqVCkRXPaaGJm3DCckUeoqRo8XMa2W8nG4Lj-fuICYDzJrWervUMsu1ISmAow/s1600-h/curtisglencross.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoDlmcxrK4NyQJPLNpI06Z7jSMOlle82Eox-f9-obh7fCWTVYgAGJuAREe0f9dPXHmrDjoPXVCXqVCkRXPaaGJm3DCckUeoqRo8XMa2W8nG4Lj-fuICYDzJrWervUMsu1ISmAow/s400/curtisglencross.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247201457805171618" border="0" /></a>This is a picture of Curtis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Glencross</span> (center) scoring against the Flames. As I recall that game was in November or so and his whole family came into town to watch it. He '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Stempniaked</span>' the Flames, I believe the Jackets won 3-2 and he scored 2 goals. Ouch.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Glencross</span> had quite a year, especially after he was traded to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Oilers</span>. He only has 71 NHL games under his belt so the sample size is small but what we did see seemed to be something worth watching.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVMsrzBo1G9bLogq7OHn7ei04uEjpPSLg9WfSUCNddztfM8Ev_zDfPd-vK4YuOSw7fVrp-XcvOZDBWQDL9iMGDWGjeIZQ8SpjlP2qy9YmcwZwdhYnkaxNrstoa0998ZjETb-PeA/s1600-h/glencross.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVMsrzBo1G9bLogq7OHn7ei04uEjpPSLg9WfSUCNddztfM8Ev_zDfPd-vK4YuOSw7fVrp-XcvOZDBWQDL9iMGDWGjeIZQ8SpjlP2qy9YmcwZwdhYnkaxNrstoa0998ZjETb-PeA/s400/glencross.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247201335113905378" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Glencross</span> split games between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MacT</span> and Hitchcock but it seems they both utilized him in the same way: throw him out against the other team's bottom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">rungers</span> and watch him fly.<br /><br />I ranked him against all of his old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Oiler</span> teammates (simply as a matter of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">behindthenet</span>.ca <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">conveniance</span>) , and while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Glencross</span> was playing with the worst teammates against the worst opponents, he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">must've</span> been winning just about every battle out there. Check out the numbers of this '4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span> liner.'<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">nd</span> overall <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">GF</span>/60<br />6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">th</span> overall <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">PTS</span>/60<br />1st overall <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">GAON</span>/60<br /></div><br />Very impressive.<br /><br />Out of all of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Sutter's</span> summer <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">acquisitions</span>, this one has the highest chance of paying off. It's a gamble because despite of all his stellar numbers, there's one dubious number: 71, total NHL games played. That's a pretty small sample size. Despite that I think it's a good gamble - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Glencross</span> is exactly the sort of upgrade depth guy the Flames <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">could've</span> used last year.<br /><br />Here's what <a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/2008/08/musings-of-interest-curtis-glencross.html">Kent</a> and <a href="http://lowetide.blogspot.com/2008/02/glen-crossroads.html">LT</a> had to say about him.<br /><br />I'd say there's a slim outside chance of Glencross making the 2nd line, but I would think at worst he's a decent 3rd line guy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 3rd line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 1st overall GAON/60<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-36641109344412046052008-09-16T16:42:00.005-06:002008-09-16T17:31:14.962-06:00Ethan Moreau<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNZ3bpTqFvo166fdKCXhHCzp3soQpeowXB8jBirjjV0k39g4C1zoSOaDPFtv1Hp4QruwYONTx2Bp41TsrCyq9H1WevAzPg0-oiwV5AUM951QUQko3Ce3E1MY3VCSIg4f5Id__Nw/s1600-h/ethanmoreau.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNZ3bpTqFvo166fdKCXhHCzp3soQpeowXB8jBirjjV0k39g4C1zoSOaDPFtv1Hp4QruwYONTx2Bp41TsrCyq9H1WevAzPg0-oiwV5AUM951QUQko3Ce3E1MY3VCSIg4f5Id__Nw/s400/ethanmoreau.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112847570823754770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Season Preview</span><br />A top notch athlete in terms of strength and conditioning. Moreau has a win at all costs attitude and is very well respected in the dressing room, considered by many to be the future captain of the Oilers. My only issue with Moreau being named captain is that it's hard to lead when you spend only 15 minutes a night (tops) on the ice, regardless, Moreau does not need a 'C' on his shoulder to be a leader. Has tremendous speed and is an excellent forechecker. Is very willing to fight. Has almost zero closing ability which is exemplified by his offensive numbers, but god knows he gets plenty of chances.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update: October 2, 2007</span> - Ethan Moreau named head captain of the Edmonton Oilers<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Season Evaluation</span><br />First of all I think I'd like to say that I stand behind my earlier argument that there were better choices for captain than Ethan Moreau, only because of his limited ice time, and now obviously, because of his limited healthy time (I still like Steve Staios for that option).<br /><br />It seems I was only half correct when I said Moreau simply cannot close on scoring chances. While the overall team production (GFON/60) is the absolute worst when the Moreau is on the ice, he's not actually that terrible at putting the puck in the net (6th overall for returning players).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifscUU9200XYDFF1mi_7EvWyC8StBXtgH1OTF-ohicKRWBs9DwV8qOGWNpZ_WwIVmHptZFWyDZ09ujw_Ij6Pb2TYNI33mtmOKSKAXBftc50LqvwhDRqhxS75Xnj58MHkZaP4GjBw/s1600-h/moreau.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifscUU9200XYDFF1mi_7EvWyC8StBXtgH1OTF-ohicKRWBs9DwV8qOGWNpZ_WwIVmHptZFWyDZ09ujw_Ij6Pb2TYNI33mtmOKSKAXBftc50LqvwhDRqhxS75Xnj58MHkZaP4GjBw/s400/moreau.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246756380015980370" border="0" /></a><br />A lot of red overall for Moreau in the offensive categories, but nothing that surprising. What is worth mentioning, and again, something I have ignored for all my other profiles save Nystrom, is Moreau's absolutely terrible corsi number. Now the sample size is pretty small so that could account for some of the issue; to my eye I don't remember Moreau the ice being tilted so heavily toward the Oilers' net when Moreau is on like I do with Nystrom (although that could explain why team production drops so much when he's on the ice). But it doesn't explain why, if the opposition is getting so many shots, his GAON/60 is so fair. Up front he's behind only Stortini and Nilsson. Seems like something doesn't add up.<br /><br />No reason to expect anything but the same from Moreau this year. I suppose it's possible MacTavish starts off trying out Moreau with some of the heavier lifting - the sorts of situations Reasoner had in the past - but it's also possible Brodziak gets that job and MacT slots him in with Stortini and a newbie on the 4th.<br /><br />There is a Lebrun article that both <a href="http://coppernblue.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-can-agree-on-problem-but-im-not-crazy.html">Jonathan</a> and <a href="http://lowetide.blogspot.com/2008/09/hodge-podge.html">LT</a> are talking about where MacT has been hinting at Penner and Moreau on the 3rd line. Let it be so.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 3rd liner<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 3rd forward GAON/60<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-5118491132476066792008-09-15T21:44:00.006-06:002008-09-15T23:32:02.612-06:00Eric Nystrom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7hrDiWyekPrwmNIf11yZrEenwTRfa3D9Jl-Dk5y6WS0bpBSp5VeB_o6IBz7Fz17Qu1R3vQ7a4S-FzNo_fiY6-2Bl6iGF-YoFWdoAc6r9sVl96IiPAOiCs_EoB7tDUxFc2WV0oQ/s1600-h/ericnystrom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7hrDiWyekPrwmNIf11yZrEenwTRfa3D9Jl-Dk5y6WS0bpBSp5VeB_o6IBz7Fz17Qu1R3vQ7a4S-FzNo_fiY6-2Bl6iGF-YoFWdoAc6r9sVl96IiPAOiCs_EoB7tDUxFc2WV0oQ/s400/ericnystrom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246463462163171330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike Dustin Boyd, we can't put up a photo of Eric Nystrom playing in the World Junior Championship; Nystrom played for Team USA, but that was in 2003 (the relevance of that photo is certainly waining) and besides, google images doesn't seem to have any copies of a photo of Nystrom in Team USA digs if any in fact exist.<br /><br />Another difference between Nystrom and Boyd is that at 25, I think we can safely assume Nystrom has finished his growing pains. What we now see is what we're going to see for the rest of his career.<br /><br />Not that what we see now is all bad. I think Nystrom has carved himself out a nice little niche as a 4th line energy guy - he crashes, he bangs, he cycles. He must be used sparingly though.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaDI5OB0vk1sRP6ZO3Ngf174CCtCMaJFDM9ejTRZ7tgkp_h_pSUVN3cUc7DgBn5b11GklkKdlFSAFJMlVel_LR7N32RexbiPasvONnnLsZ_CFTM2S7w4ulmVZOsJW-1Vp5fVB6A/s1600-h/nystrom.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaDI5OB0vk1sRP6ZO3Ngf174CCtCMaJFDM9ejTRZ7tgkp_h_pSUVN3cUc7DgBn5b11GklkKdlFSAFJMlVel_LR7N32RexbiPasvONnnLsZ_CFTM2S7w4ulmVZOsJW-1Vp5fVB6A/s400/nystrom.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246463374292799938" border="0" /></a>Nystrom isn't really in the red in any categories (good) but he certainly isn't in the green (bad). One thing that moderately concerns me but I haven't really discussed among any other player is Nystrom's corsi number - it's worse than any other player on the team. Now to my eye there is a lot of running around on Calgary when Nystrom is on the ice, and there are a lot of shots against. Certainly the corsi number supports that idea.<br /><br />I think though if you put Nystrom out there with some half decent defensive guys he could be ok. His GAON/60 really isn't that bad, its certainly not as bad as the corsi number would suggest, so maybe the shot totals are up but the shot quality is down. There's hope anyway.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 4th line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 3rd ranked forward GAON/60.<br /><br />edit: I would be negligent to forget to include <a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/2008/08/musings-of-interest-eric-nystrom.html">Kent's take on Nystrom</a> from back in August which is better than my own.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-54927419567069087422008-09-11T19:26:00.007-06:002008-09-13T00:31:47.752-06:00Dustin Boyd<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPVpyhlv-tLevD6CqHfNxfhORIwdPpyV0mf_uXzaWDIF09ufmsAQrpUXZCu0SFtdZo0ILjJHehUqPwK4mDAqPogaeB0myLY1p8axCLUPfi8t-yW3ueaO7ERMJ2ZuFU4rljRJtWg/s1600-h/dustinboyd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPVpyhlv-tLevD6CqHfNxfhORIwdPpyV0mf_uXzaWDIF09ufmsAQrpUXZCu0SFtdZo0ILjJHehUqPwK4mDAqPogaeB0myLY1p8axCLUPfi8t-yW3ueaO7ERMJ2ZuFU4rljRJtWg/s400/dustinboyd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244988547068759554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlspx33_f8Sdf_VGvJjqSs9dZdj8Iz7Ne1TytnC8NSb9OP9IsZO_oAFehoAVt9dKcrlL4EDAddh6uGsp9-YvRZWhf6m0rOdihpPTgrOGQq2MJRX-bpPSw8vTYnztHQW0-J-wExw/s1600-h/dustinboyd1.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlspx33_f8Sdf_VGvJjqSs9dZdj8Iz7Ne1TytnC8NSb9OP9IsZO_oAFehoAVt9dKcrlL4EDAddh6uGsp9-YvRZWhf6m0rOdihpPTgrOGQq2MJRX-bpPSw8vTYnztHQW0-J-wExw/s400/dustinboyd1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244988451257475266" border="0" /></a>Dustin Boyd played for Team Canada during one of their last 4 straight World Junior Championship wins, the second one in fact. This team was notable for a few things; one year after the dream team (Getzlaf, Phaneuf, Crosby, Richards etc), they played in Canada, two notable or infamous players were on that team, Steve Downie (who was fantastic) and Luc Bordon (RIP). Note, Andrew Cogliano also played on this team.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Boyd wasn't half bad himself; he scored 3 goals in the round robin (although none in the final 2 playoff games). At the time it seemed he had a bit of a scoring touch, could be a nice little 2nd liner.<br /><br />Boyd hasn't been great.<br /><br />There's probably a lot of reasons for his results: Firstly, Keenan has been playing him with just about the worst teammates possible. Not the absolute worst but pretty near the bottom. Secondly, Boyd is just young. He turned 22 in July so it's not really surprising he's unseasoned; Boyd needs time to develop, and he needs decent teammates to do it with.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYEnIYbkvQk_hBn_S59M8qQ0CDejDPyiZEmTAcw7nayB1DQTVhVEPmU_xXTYyeh4sbM1Yhjr67mC8muC5-QFiI0rL08HiVuU3whgKwE3pr_H5PJ_txvvYetEsGC95P3OMOSFmeg/s1600-h/boyd.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYEnIYbkvQk_hBn_S59M8qQ0CDejDPyiZEmTAcw7nayB1DQTVhVEPmU_xXTYyeh4sbM1Yhjr67mC8muC5-QFiI0rL08HiVuU3whgKwE3pr_H5PJ_txvvYetEsGC95P3OMOSFmeg/s400/boyd.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244988261069559330" border="0" /></a>I think the most interesting thing when you look at Dustin Boyd's desjardins numbers is that his point production is far ahead of where you would expect it to be given his linemates. Now, he doesn't pass Matt's '<a href="http://battleofalberta.blogspot.com/2008/09/rates-and-states.html">line in the sand test</a>' but the only players left on the Flames who did happened to be playing with Jarome Iginla (or happen to be Jarome Iginla).<br /><br />Now, I'm not necessarily saying Boyd is going to jump out and score 25 goals this year, but prorate his effort last year we get close to 20. The Flames have virtually no scoring depth, so I think it would make sense to at least try playing him on one of the top two lines on a trial basis.<br /><br />Obviously he's going to need someone on the line who can teach him to play defence, but Boyd still has promise. I think it's time to invest some playing time in him.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 3rd line<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 2nd overall GF/60<br /><br />Addendum: It's been a couple months since I last read <a href="http://fiveholefanatics.blogspot.com/2008/07/musings-of-interest-dustin-boyd.html">Kent's musing on Boyd</a> but he agrees with me (or I agree with him). Great minds I hope.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-11219540919451267502008-09-10T18:11:00.003-06:002008-09-10T18:41:26.902-06:00Zack Stortini<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPZfuPgM4dv8a-s-lbd3IvRIh_HjklKpV-JQGv17NMdg7hQtffgcaG6pINX4uoozFTvXKP78Bh78yZ16CdtBZxZUrhQMXjbZdKbi2vip9MeELQK5_ucl4-OZP15OBvecR7WYoLw/s1600-h/zackstortini.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPZfuPgM4dv8a-s-lbd3IvRIh_HjklKpV-JQGv17NMdg7hQtffgcaG6pINX4uoozFTvXKP78Bh78yZ16CdtBZxZUrhQMXjbZdKbi2vip9MeELQK5_ucl4-OZP15OBvecR7WYoLw/s400/zackstortini.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244551524933114658" border="0" /></a>This is a picture of Zack <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stortini</span> training with 'the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mandelbaums</span>' (as LT has dubbed them) apparently setting up for a power clean (note his grip width is too narrow for a snatch and his double overhead indicates he's not going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">deadlift</span>, although I think a regular clean is just as likely). There was a lot of talk during the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">offseason</span> about what sort of money <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Stortini</span> would be willing to take to play for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Oilers</span> given his limited role/ability but that's all been cleared up so all is good from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Stortini</span> camp.<br /><br />Watching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Stortini</span> last year I think we saw something of a transformation in his game. He started the season and indeed his career playing a chicken with his head cut off style but his role was narrowed and focused as the season progressed last year and he turned into a pretty effective energy guy/agitator and arguably, even shutdown.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxxUhfKm0Jpiomf1g1FphiIGVTYSY42ajziIjgERZmVSV5oLnK47GbbPdGujauuDdDlDdh-uF7P69WF-GN-qSFpUX-4EfjJnbRnK5XYfAUN6OcQUlpPJBT82IAQj3LYbxoXv5tw/s1600-h/stortini.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxxUhfKm0Jpiomf1g1FphiIGVTYSY42ajziIjgERZmVSV5oLnK47GbbPdGujauuDdDlDdh-uF7P69WF-GN-qSFpUX-4EfjJnbRnK5XYfAUN6OcQUlpPJBT82IAQj3LYbxoXv5tw/s400/stortini.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244550016709247218" border="0" /></a>It's obvious looking at the numbers that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MacT</span> isn't exactly comfortable throwing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Stortini</span> out there against anyone; he's dead last on the team in terms of even strength ice time per game. He's also 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">nd</span> to last in terms of the competition he faced.<br /><br />The good news is that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Stortini</span> did <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ok</span> with the job he was given. His teammates were among the worst on the team but they were doing a fantastic job at keeping the puck out of their own end. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Stortini</span> was the very best in the team in fact.<br /><br />I have to admit I'm a Zack <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Stortini</span> fan; he doesn't fight well and he's not overly skilled, but he found a way to be a very useful player for the Edmonton <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Oilers</span>.<br /></div><br />Projection: 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">th</span> liner<br />Key Stat: 1st overall <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">GAON</span>/60Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-49851558297818736092008-09-04T12:09:00.004-06:002008-09-07T00:25:14.571-06:00Marc Antoine Pouliot<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s-VYw8Ym4Ro8NcNd5MdU0kUxtEMm0DBek9tORjEVM422JqVMX8JZBcGyGt3M6gtyXrtBHzsPfq9R_TdE8dEMW4XWdCdc5XuvyJ9CyxoHYBqqrKYiBqjNIE0OUKd-JaOLK4tJQg/s1600-h/MarcAntoinePouliot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s-VYw8Ym4Ro8NcNd5MdU0kUxtEMm0DBek9tORjEVM422JqVMX8JZBcGyGt3M6gtyXrtBHzsPfq9R_TdE8dEMW4XWdCdc5XuvyJ9CyxoHYBqqrKYiBqjNIE0OUKd-JaOLK4tJQg/s400/MarcAntoinePouliot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242230849901555426" border="0" /></a>This picture appears to be taken shortly after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pouliot</span> was drafted and I must say, his chances of making an impact on this team were probably a lot higher that day.<br /><br />I think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pouliot</span> did a not bad job during his spot duty during the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nd</span> half of 06-07 (46GP, 7G, 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">PTS</span>) and it just seemed like he was never really given a shake in 07-08. I think he actually did <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ok</span> though.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCzKWkCin7tG7Tyh51S81jgOGrRkFj0FuZ6sWYtNbkTtUNl-OsVPXLFSBydXF-nDdWE_fSf2T9a0wLD69GQk2vawp-ZbAzd6QV1SCldjN7ZJUEpOYXPuS-Dx0x3QGWqEsEfLbTw/s1600-h/pouliot.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCzKWkCin7tG7Tyh51S81jgOGrRkFj0FuZ6sWYtNbkTtUNl-OsVPXLFSBydXF-nDdWE_fSf2T9a0wLD69GQk2vawp-ZbAzd6QV1SCldjN7ZJUEpOYXPuS-Dx0x3QGWqEsEfLbTw/s400/pouliot.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242230784067041090" border="0" /></a>He's got some red exploding out from those <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">desjardins</span> numbers but it's not entirely bad. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MacT</span> played <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Pouliot</span> against the softest competition but he also played him with the worst teammates. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Pouliot</span> wasn't dominating his competition but I'd say he was at least hanging in there. <br /><br />Some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Oilers</span> fans (and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">bloggers</span>) have been proposing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Pouliot's</span> best chance to make a real impact is to take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Stoll's</span> position as the shutdown <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">centerman</span>; I have to agree. There simply isn't any room for him on one of the top two center positions right out of training camp, (between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Horcoff</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Gagner</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Cogliano</span>) so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Pouliot</span> has to beat out Kyle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Brodziak</span> on that third line.<br /><br />He's not going to do it with pure offensive ability; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Brodziak</span> was certainly outscoring him; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Brodziak</span> also had a better <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">FO</span>% (51.5% - 47.7%) and took more ( 3.7/g - 1.8/g). I don't know <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Pouliot's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">FO</span> data, but Jonathan has some that show <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">MacT</span> was putting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Brodziak</span> in more own zone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">faceoff</span> situations than any other rookie.<br /><br />With all that being said, I'd say <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Pouliot's</span> chances of being the shutdown guy aren't good.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">th</span> line center<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> last on forwards in Goals/60<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-5675357902133618172008-09-02T20:21:00.005-06:002008-09-02T20:57:27.911-06:00Marcus Nilson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGlAMt1ghXeMc4IXYqZBzHvZppIeGrF1r98frUF8EXsxDLOc6n2xQ_SU2eWPKPW5EebFLRqQIxwr5Q6HLnRQepsa7iwKESDVHKffAlGoY7mkUtNczFTDgj-reu5jURPxPWn_t6A/s1600-h/marcusnilson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGlAMt1ghXeMc4IXYqZBzHvZppIeGrF1r98frUF8EXsxDLOc6n2xQ_SU2eWPKPW5EebFLRqQIxwr5Q6HLnRQepsa7iwKESDVHKffAlGoY7mkUtNczFTDgj-reu5jURPxPWn_t6A/s400/marcusnilson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241616391195484738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Marcus Nilson is not a terrible hockey player. He's been grouped with a couple of players that are pretty much terrible (Eriksson, Warrener) but he's easily the class of that group. He scored 4 goals and 6pts for Sweden in this year's World Hockey Championships which to me shows that he must still have some gas left in the tank (more goals by the way than he had all year for the Flames). How much gas is of course up for debate.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3X1rOgP3rwjcvIUNihRPjQuxiqfjoGlk_pBCjEZZCjQmWa8ilr2hvaO1PHF-QGU07sqWvITY70T83omLzpnUZE2YMX1nJk6LD9OVHpXSD_gTBFfiu4GY6T4ZfrwaBwsoqCAyGw/s1600-h/nilson.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3X1rOgP3rwjcvIUNihRPjQuxiqfjoGlk_pBCjEZZCjQmWa8ilr2hvaO1PHF-QGU07sqWvITY70T83omLzpnUZE2YMX1nJk6LD9OVHpXSD_gTBFfiu4GY6T4ZfrwaBwsoqCAyGw/s400/nilson.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241617111679980498" border="0" /></a>I don't think we can claim that Mike Keenan was putting Nilson in a tremendously bad position. He was playing the absolute worst competition and at times his linemates were downright middle of the pack. Certainly he wasn't getting a lot of icetime, but I think Keenan was justified in restricting Nilson's icetime.<br /><br />The best thing that can be said about Nilson, and it can't be said of everyone, is that he wasn't drowning in his position. He was at worst treading water and if his job is to stop his opponents from scoring he is succeeding. <br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 4th liner<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat: </span>1st overall in GAONUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-29352945792162679762008-08-30T23:27:00.004-06:002008-08-31T00:07:04.319-06:00Dion Phaneuf<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qiXmnN-GrRFZIh3_vxbWff3dCyT-ZT6TLDUUWM0G0F9FV3i_oYxOSNsyqS8GA0aRCJz4hYjRTnV3GmpM8vDVA0CHBtUwmCIQHKEjZ3DHrudRMJvsWkkOKX57W5IcqhltXD_XEg/s1600-h/dionphaneuf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qiXmnN-GrRFZIh3_vxbWff3dCyT-ZT6TLDUUWM0G0F9FV3i_oYxOSNsyqS8GA0aRCJz4hYjRTnV3GmpM8vDVA0CHBtUwmCIQHKEjZ3DHrudRMJvsWkkOKX57W5IcqhltXD_XEg/s400/dionphaneuf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099839871164763090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Prediction:</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Had an up and down season in 06-07.<span style=""> </span>Opposition began to compensate for Phaneuf’s presence on the blueline, but he still managed 17 goals, 4 game winners.<span style=""> </span>Destroyed Denis Hamel early on in the year with a thundering check, but was quieter than his rookie year.<span style=""> </span>Did not mesh well with Robyn Regehr.<span style=""> </span>Ice time increased.<span style=""> </span>Asked to play a pure shutdown/containment role for Canada in the World Championships, Phaneuf was nothing less than spectacular.<span style=""> </span></span><br /><br /><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Evaluation:</span></span></span><br /><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style="">Phaneuf's counting numbers continued their increasingly impressive rise to 17 goals and and 60 points. I don't think he had any single highlight reel hits this year but that's ok, I'm more concerned with his actual defensive presence.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style="">I don't think there was any better illustration of Phaneuf's shortcomings than in the playoffs against San Jose. While there was no doubt he was contributing offensively (3G, 7PTS), it was nothing less than heart attack hockey seeing him go against Joe Thornton. It's unfair to accuse Phaneuf of not being strong enough, but quite frankly, he just couldn't handle Thornton, especially down low. There's no shame in that obviously, Thornton is one of the league's elite. It just appears that Phaneuf isn't, at least when it comes to defensive z</span></span><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style="">one coverage. Not yet anyway.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMc-ZERn0ZyuFPbXtIkPj8cH8ta6i0AYQ78OKFCePda_zAB0SSeK9BfZWPjoRnJjlIAbn4iXuKywgbB7TVRY3sNWJUGHXQQ9UF8zjrVIzHOlpYzat4In2m6pR2WInAdC4Ah6R0g/s1600-h/phaneuf.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMc-ZERn0ZyuFPbXtIkPj8cH8ta6i0AYQ78OKFCePda_zAB0SSeK9BfZWPjoRnJjlIAbn4iXuKywgbB7TVRY3sNWJUGHXQQ9UF8zjrVIzHOlpYzat4In2m6pR2WInAdC4Ah6R0g/s400/phaneuf.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240556440295210722" border="0" /></a>Looking at behindthenet.ca numbers I think we can get a bit of a year long illustration of what I'm saying. His offensive numbers are all stellar, (1st in GFON for defencemen, 1st in pts/60 for defencemen, etc). He's obviously a workhorse (1st overall in EVTOI/60) but I have to think that at least some of his totals are because of the fact he gets top notch teammates.<br /><br />The disappointing part of the behindthenet.ca numbers come in the fact we can see he's facing 2nd tier opposition and not really stopping them from scoring goals. He's not even in the first half of defenceman in terms of opposition shutdown ability. <br /><br />Right now Phaneuf is a very good defenceman, but if he ever hopes to win that Norris he was nominated for he needs to tighten up his defensive zone coverage.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> number 1 defenceman<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 1st for defenceman in GFON and PTS/60<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-30711127232191795662008-08-30T12:42:00.003-06:002008-08-30T13:04:05.952-06:00Sheldon Souray<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vqMRcFE9jTkhRGHg1Mw6aJ9zm8MBE0uwhVpsW8PJxBsM4qIgCtb9nCSLvtNBUmuMxVXS9B4jgmYiJIv5m0dBq69eoIeMdYEb2AMmHN_gjdtbBFDmasZBfx6rV_KOAul28qkcJQ/s1600-h/sheldonsouray.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vqMRcFE9jTkhRGHg1Mw6aJ9zm8MBE0uwhVpsW8PJxBsM4qIgCtb9nCSLvtNBUmuMxVXS9B4jgmYiJIv5m0dBq69eoIeMdYEb2AMmHN_gjdtbBFDmasZBfx6rV_KOAul28qkcJQ/s400/sheldonsouray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110252479270402626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Prediction:</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Appropriately labeled a 'chaos defender' by Lowetide. Is often as likely to cause a goal against as a goal for. Has given up a couple of unsightly highlight reel one on one situations, although cut down on that 'issue' in the most recent season. Has an absolute boomer from the point and a real mean streak. Is a physical presence. Appears to be well respected by players. Is absolutely not as good a player as Ryan Smyth despite his pay scale.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Evaluation:</span><br />I must admit, looking back, I've been a bit hard on Souray. I think everything I wrote about him in my 07-08 prediction holds pretty true, but when he first went down with shoulder trouble last season I made the comment that the Oilers were probably better off without him playing. His counting totals weren't very impressive and he seemed to be on for a lot of goals against. From that point on Souray really only made cameo appearances for the Oilers, but he was surprisingly effective. Bare in mind this is an extremely small sample size.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM7aWO8xLZ5Jf1y-zaMqSSwvVWcZV7fLpiS5kNT638n99FpGHtyBpTDMxXga6wyEK_lOhIAPLmYj1gXu0MFzcBudlCHYMJaA6pa9CUSxwo4CaluBMoI61gpMnXg6GEQLA1fLv5g/s1600-h/souray.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM7aWO8xLZ5Jf1y-zaMqSSwvVWcZV7fLpiS5kNT638n99FpGHtyBpTDMxXga6wyEK_lOhIAPLmYj1gXu0MFzcBudlCHYMJaA6pa9CUSxwo4CaluBMoI61gpMnXg6GEQLA1fLv5g/s400/souray.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240386042709537810" border="0" /></a>Sure, his GFON was brutal (worst for defenceman, 2nd worst on the team), but look at his competition and his teammates; MacT was giving Souray pretty tough assignments and making him babysit his linemates - surprisingly he pretty much came out on top. MacT wasn't totally throwing him under the bus like Stoll or Reasoner (or Staios) judging from IOF's handy little <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHmy5KmPTJ7rypT7S8_POb9oFBZ_29-nWcG57wfrwc1E2aELrtZTQzQv2um8y7YH9WP_o40rFSKeNIBscRUhVZtBJrvkZH_ikrerBJOQsP9pUXoMSkI8aIPbxEK8mFtmouollXQ/s1600-h/oilerdbyfaceoffs.JPG">graph</a>, but he was obviously being challenged.<br /><br />Souray's most promising statistic? His GAON - 3rd on the team and first for defenceman. Isn't that supposed to be his weakness?<br /><br />Obviously last year could have been an anomaly both in terms of play and in sample size, so this year will be a real test for Souray.<br /><br />Still, I'd rather have Smyth.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection: </span>1st pairing defenceman<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 3rd overall GAON, 1st for defenceman<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-91142517957819634042008-08-28T12:11:00.005-06:002008-08-28T12:51:15.961-06:00Lubomir Visnovsky<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhekS0XlgOCcz58jLHym0CycLeybCv1HtJwfoEHx6fAH80xEujvd2lvrrdr6oYt_U2Iyf_1U6dGoiTyABCkivppnY6fRXiv-DenGBmj5OKyor1aKOTVF8wV8BixdsRVe0FisX0ag/s1600-h/lubomirvisnovsky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhekS0XlgOCcz58jLHym0CycLeybCv1HtJwfoEHx6fAH80xEujvd2lvrrdr6oYt_U2Iyf_1U6dGoiTyABCkivppnY6fRXiv-DenGBmj5OKyor1aKOTVF8wV8BixdsRVe0FisX0ag/s400/lubomirvisnovsky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239633703447333554" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I think even more so than Sheldon Souray we can think of Lubomir Visnovsky as that 'puck moving defenceman' that the Oilers coveted . Partly because Souray really isn't a puck mover at all even though he was sold to the public as one, but that's neither here nor there.<br /><br />The truth is that Lubomir Visnovsky did not have a stellar season last year, even by LA Kings standards. The good news is that his last season is an outlier, not the trend.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">05-06: 17G, 67PTS, 0.838PPG<br />06-07: 18G, 58PTS, 0.841PPG<br />07-08: 8G, 41PTS, 0.500PPG<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As Jonathan Willis would say, '<a href="http://www.oilersnation.com/index2.php/2008/08/24/one-of-these-things/">one of these things is not like the other.</a>'<br /><br />I think it's unlikely to expect nearly a point a game pace from Visnovsky, but he'll get plenty of PP time with Sheldon Souray and I would expect his pace will increase from half a point a game.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptvwJ8-RPdt_aZOSU8n_5b5xkxyQlqFVaa7_X97__4XGyjsXpM59TlzPJ6l5jnViBq3q751DDSXUs04HYQls2DDyM9nUWOtLudsWeqNjNwJ_4ocT8WQCBbtAeyoOV75vRNaFjtg/s1600-h/visnovsky.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptvwJ8-RPdt_aZOSU8n_5b5xkxyQlqFVaa7_X97__4XGyjsXpM59TlzPJ6l5jnViBq3q751DDSXUs04HYQls2DDyM9nUWOtLudsWeqNjNwJ_4ocT8WQCBbtAeyoOV75vRNaFjtg/s400/visnovsky.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239634097005909522" border="0" /></a>Looking at his desjardins numbers from last year with the LA Kings it should become obvious why Lubomir Visnovsky should be played on the second defensive unit against the soft opposition.<br /><br />His GFON was ok but his GAON was just awful, even for LA. Let's hope that was an anomaly as well.<br /><br />The basic lowdown is that I think Visnovsky is going to have to be babysat a bit at EV or given really good teammates, because his value is going to have to come on the PP.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection: </span>2nd pairing defenceman<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 13th overall in difficulty of oppositionUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-2947934344323786692008-08-28T11:51:00.005-06:002008-08-28T12:58:15.847-06:00Robyn Regehr<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4E0E5kRnNgJExIJ2qbUCbgI3NY6Xu803WdYFReoTY9jeCJGeLTpkzk6VaziHeaPxqrLcPcs1Y7gaAW7V7UiB1cOfJB3qntHxkZLeRw3OV8jtGTUc1HTPHnKtvi8O2WUzpx5l6Q/s1600-h/robynregehr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4E0E5kRnNgJExIJ2qbUCbgI3NY6Xu803WdYFReoTY9jeCJGeLTpkzk6VaziHeaPxqrLcPcs1Y7gaAW7V7UiB1cOfJB3qntHxkZLeRw3OV8jtGTUc1HTPHnKtvi8O2WUzpx5l6Q/s400/robynregehr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100595493351082978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">07-08 Prediction:</span><br /><span lang="EN-US">Calgary’s best <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">defenceman</span>, he uses his size and positioning to punish opposition forwards.<span style=""> </span>Calgary was simply a worse team when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Regehr</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn</span>’t play.<span style=""> </span>Offensive upside is limited, but managed to crank out 4 points in 7 games against Anaheim in the playoffs of 05-06.<span style=""> </span>Is committed to the Flames and to winning, signing a below market value extension in the summer of 07.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-US">07-08 Evaluation:<br /></span><span lang="EN-US">The picture above is of Robyn slamming Selanne right behind the defensive zone net, which is appropriate because that's his signature move and because he apparently has a distaste for Selanne that runs far deeper than any other NHLer.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;" lang="EN-US"><br /><br /></span><span lang="EN-US">Robyn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Regehr's</span> season can't really be described by any word other than workhorse. He played 82 games facing the toughest opposition of any <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">defenceman</span> and the second toughest opposition overall playing with just about the worst teammates of all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">defenceman</span>.</span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-US">He kept up his clutch playoff reputation by putting up 2 assists in 7 games and shadowing Joe Thornton into oblivion.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS6m3ZHs32IHoWBO_XdqC2CWEDgkMyWhtiyzlcj33nN5IzOgtbFtHCJzW9eRFY9HPUXid8dEW1nhHWPoz2UYqkOrNzzZ_mFCJ8Dgv7yHM4M6xXSeBe07kWwKg-XAtdCvbplSsVg/s1600-h/regehr.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS6m3ZHs32IHoWBO_XdqC2CWEDgkMyWhtiyzlcj33nN5IzOgtbFtHCJzW9eRFY9HPUXid8dEW1nhHWPoz2UYqkOrNzzZ_mFCJ8Dgv7yHM4M6xXSeBe07kWwKg-XAtdCvbplSsVg/s400/regehr.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239629431564233714" border="0" /></a><br /><span lang="EN-US">Last year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Regehr</span> played with Cory <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Sarich</span> but I expect this year he'll get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Phaneuf</span> as his partner, and so his counting numbers will likely increase. If Keenan continues his power vs power strategy, I would also expect <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Regehr's</span> defensive numbers (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">GAON</span>) to improve as well. Having real teammates can only help him.</span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-US">The only real question about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Regehr</span> is who is going to replace him on the second pairing?</span><br /></div><span lang="EN-US"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 1st pairing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">defenceman</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">nd</span> overall and 1st <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">defenceman</span> in opposition difficulty<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30023391.post-481838608892217752008-08-27T16:57:00.006-06:002008-08-27T17:19:20.392-06:00Cory Sarich<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0acQUuR2U-0V463PITCgurMK-FVYpAU_3oHJTI0Ay22bES_3ZNmbRxXHIJhccOCGYmhTRYFzJmkOs-iP-7iMaNxJR7ilCCKy6JwkOBZyegE7ucpH0Ehc4AuS7kcMbpR93CIP3Q/s1600-h/corysarich.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0acQUuR2U-0V463PITCgurMK-FVYpAU_3oHJTI0Ay22bES_3ZNmbRxXHIJhccOCGYmhTRYFzJmkOs-iP-7iMaNxJR7ilCCKy6JwkOBZyegE7ucpH0Ehc4AuS7kcMbpR93CIP3Q/s400/corysarich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239335799658593010" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm sure this picture is a little painful for most Flames fans but I think it's important to remember that at one point Cory <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sarich</span> won the Cup and it may not hold as much weight as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MSM</span> may indicate but it does have value.<br /><br />Most Flames fans that I have talked to seem to agree <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sarich</span> is overpaid ($3.6 cap hit) but the higher the cap rises the more appropriate his salary seems to get. He's not a bad defensive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">defenceman</span>, doesn't do anything great but nothing terrible either. Generally makes safe plays and obviously had that one incredible hit on Patrick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Marleau</span> in the 08 playoffs.<br /></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyf3EmUJYnrvW8tGtv8tAfhYEDF2A9avYYEZ1oPQ06fvTt1lSbQ0PTR73bYHWz_P87tQni5EeozOKgDsSCPqFZ2HhXCu2TRZUr-XSNp3teRJNihNO0LO8mOnjFCNSTSfAzsDdHA/s1600-h/sarich.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyf3EmUJYnrvW8tGtv8tAfhYEDF2A9avYYEZ1oPQ06fvTt1lSbQ0PTR73bYHWz_P87tQni5EeozOKgDsSCPqFZ2HhXCu2TRZUr-XSNp3teRJNihNO0LO8mOnjFCNSTSfAzsDdHA/s400/sarich.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239335872371401906" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Looking at his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">desjardins</span> numbers there is a lot of red, but thankfully it's exactly where we would expect it to be; at his offensive numbers. Make no mistake, Cory <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Sarich</span> was not brought on board to score goals, he was brought on board to stop them.<br /><br />As was obvious to anyone who watched the Flames last season, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Sarich</span> played with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Regehr</span> on what basically amounted to a defensive shutdown unit. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sarich</span> played the second toughest opposition minutes for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">defenseman</span> (behind <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Regehr</span>, so basically equal toughness) and did not a bad job; his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">GAON</span> were 3rd among <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">defenceman</span>, behind <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Vandermeer</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Aucoin</span> who both played against much lesser opposition.<br /><br />I have a feeling this year that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Regehr</span> will be paired with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Phaneuf</span> and therefore <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Sarich</span> has to expect a new defensive partner at EV. Without <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Regehr</span> at his side I imagine his play will remain steady but now Flames fans will be able to get a better picture of how much of a difference maker he really is.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Projection:</span> 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">nd</span> pairing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">defenceman</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Key Stat:</span> 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">nd</span> quality of opposition among <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">defenceman</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3